Postcards from Paris - Block One

It has taken me a while to get started on the first block of my Postcards from Paris quilt.

I wanted to set aside a whole day just to work out the pattern, trace and cut the templates and cut the material. I also found reading the pattern very daunting and was wondering if I had bitten off more than I can chew with this pattern. I think this also didn't help me get started.

With a few days home over this Easter weekend I was able to set aside time and got started. I am really pleased with what I have been able to get done over the past couple of days.

I have traced all of the templates, washed the main fabrics used for the backgrounds on the blocks and have cut the fabric for the first block. I've also traced the layout for blocks one and two on the background.

Now that I have cut the fabric and traced the placement of the designs I think the applique of the pieces will be a lot easier.

My Blue Willow quilt is growing

Here's a photo of my Blue Willow quilt. I only have one and a bit boarders to sew on and then the binding to sew. I have the backing material and batting all ready to put on the quilt.

I am not sure what pattern I will use to hand quilt the top. I may just stitch around each block but will have to make sure the quilting is close enough together to hold the batting in place once it's finished.

I wasn't sure how to place the block for this quilt. After much deliberation I decided to have them all facing the same direction and set about sewing the blocks in place.

As I was sewing the last two picture blocks in place I had started to think that I should have sewed half the blocks in the opposite.

I was just about to sew the last block in place and I decided that I would unpick half of the blocks and turn them in the opposite direction.

It took me all evening to unpick the blocks I wanted to turn. I unpicked 5 blocks in total, turned them around and sewed them in place again.

It was fiddly work unpicking the stitches and sewing blocks where I had taken them out in the middle of a row but it was worth the effort.

Charlie must have a sixth sense for quilts. Every time I lay a quilt out to photograph it Charlie jumps up on the bed and sits right on top of it!

My pile of quilts to hand quilt is growing. I will have plenty of sewing to do when I have the bone grafts done on my foot in a few months time.